Seven books to deepen your faith and spark summer conversations
Katherine has handpicked 7 must-read books to inspire your summer reading. Whether youâre looking for daily bursts of encouragement to reconnect with the heart of the gospel or hoping to use the holiday season to share your faith with loved ones but arenât sure how to begin, this list has you covered.
A timely conversation invites us to reflect on our humanity and physicality, with two standout books exploring what it means to embrace our creaturely nature.
And for young minds eager to learn, Cold-Case Christianity for Kids: Investigate Jesus with a Real Detective offers a fun and engaging way to teach 7-12-year-olds not just what to think, but how to think critically about their faith.
Take a lookâyouâre sure to find something meaningful for every shelf!
40 Days of Grace and 40 Days of Faith (Paul David Tripp)
40 daily readings curated from Paul David Trippâs larger volume, New Morning Mercies. Short enough to read in 5 minutes or less, but will encourage readers to dwell on and treasure the life-changing truths of God's word more fully.
Enjoying Jesus: Experience the Presence and Kindness of the Son of God in Everyday Life (Tim Chester)
As the title implies, this book encourages readers to a deeper experience of the joy of Jesusâ presence and companionship in the day-to-day of life. A follow-up to Tim Chesterâs popular book âEnjoying Godâ (also a good read!).
Youâre Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect Godâs Design and Why Thatâs Good News (Kelly Kapic)
In this book, Kapic says he wants âus to take time to carefully think about our creatureliness. This will reveal limits, dependence, love, reliance on the grace of God, and worship. We will examine the joy of being a creature and the freedom of resting on the promises of the Creator. We will question harmful and unrealistic ideals and begin to appreciate the messiness of our complex lives.â It is only when we come to see the sheer goodness of our limitedness that we can begin to relate properly as finite creatures before an infinite Creator and âworship him as he made us: dignified, purposeful, vulnerable, finite creatures. We do not apologize for our creaturely needs and dependence on others, for we discover this is how God made us, and it is good.â
What God Has to Say About Our Bodies: How the Gospel is Good News for Our Physical Selves (Sam Allberry)
Steve McAlpine recommended this one earlier in the year as a helpful resource for thinking about the transgender issue. Itâs so much more than that though. If youâve ever struggled with parts of your appearance, or wondered about the significance of the physical body as a Christian, this is a great book to read.
Cold-Case Christianity For Kids: Investigate Jesus With a Real Detective (J. Warner Wallace and Susie Wallace)
Take your kids on an investigative adventure over summer and get them thinking critically. Using a case-study involving the mystery of a stolen skateboard as well as putting the claims of Christianity to test, this book teaches kids how to think rather than telling them what to think. Theyâll think about how they can test witnesses, examine and evaluate evidence. Includes links to downloadable activities and case notes. (Ages 7-12)